Residents in East Earl Township and Terre Hill Borough might recognize a new face patrolling their neighborhoods these days.

East Earl Township supervisors agreed to hire John Yost, former police chief in nearby New Holland Borough, as a part-time police officer.

Supervisors voted unanimously to hire Yost at their regular monthly meeting. Yost, who began duty on Jan. 12, stepped down as New Holland police chief when his two-year contract expired on Dec. 31.

He said he resigned to pursue other interests, and New Holland officials said they did not attempt to renew his contract.

Yost's addition to the police force brings the department to full staff for the first time since 2007, East Earl Township Police Chief Kevin C. McCarthy said.

McCarthy said Yost, 57, is a Vietnam War veteran from Leola who has 34 years of experience in law enforcement. Yost served as chief in New Holland since March 1, 2003.

Yost, who will make $18 per hour as an East Earl Township policeman, had previously worked for 26 years with the Lancaster City police bureau, where he had been a detective lieutenant.

In other police news, McCarthy presented supervisors with 2009 data on service calls and crime statistics involving the East Earl Township Police Department, which also covers Terre Hill.

Police made a total of 344 arrests in 2009, which included few violent incidents. There were four arrests for aggravated assault and 11 suspects faced simple-assault charges.

In arrests by region in 2009: police booked 221 adult suspects while taking 68 minors into custody in East Earl. In Terre Hill, police last year arrested 51 adults and charged four juvenile suspects.

East Earl police in December answered 124 calls for service, investigated 16 traffic accidents and conducted 14 criminal investigations in East Earl Township.

In Terre Hill, police last month investigated two accidents, answered 11 calls for service, and conducted four criminal complaints.